There's a lot riding on Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker. Not only is the film supposed to close Lucasfilm's Star Wars sequel trilogy, but it's also supposed to serve as the final chapter in Star Wars' Skywalker Saga.
Speaking in an interview with Rolling Stone to help promote his new Star Wars movie, director J.J. Abrams was asked for the specific reason why The Rise of Skywalker was the end. According to the filmmaker, Episode VII was the end because the sequel trilogy earned the right for the movie to become the conclusion of the saga.
"I felt going into this, even on [Episode] VII — I don't remember if this was discussed or not, but it felt like this was the final trilogy. It felt like it earned being the conclusion of that story. Who's to say what comes next?" Abrams explained in his discussion with the entertainment news outlet, "Is there something else to be done that involves any of these characters? I'm working on nothing [Star Wars-related], so I'm not hinting at anything. I'm just saying, who's to know, but it just felt like the end."
Star Wars fans might be anxious hearing the word "end," however, The Rise of Skywalker doesn't necessarily mean the end of the franchise.
Sure, Game of Thrones showrunners D.B. Weiss and David Benioff might have exited their Star Wars trilogy, but there are more films to come. Lucasfilm plans on announcing a new Star Wars film for 2022 after Episode IX premieres this December. Star Wars: The Last Jedi director Rian Johnson also has a Star Wars trilogy on the way. The future of the franchise is still bright.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker premieres December 20, 2019.
Read: The Last Jedi's Rian Johnson Doesn't Know Why Star Wars Keeps Firing Its Directors
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Star Wars: Episode IX